Head of School

Our Story:

In 1978, our school founders met with the mission to create a school environment where the Bible would be the book by which all academic experiences would be evaluated. Valley Christian School offers a Biblically based education to students in grades 3-year-old preschool – 12th grade. We are an interdenominational, private Christian school who believes a solid Biblical foundation is essential for building a strong educational and spiritual future.  At Valley Christian School we desire to partner with families in the building of this foundation.  Our teachers believe that God has uniquely placed them at Valley Christian School in a position of ministry to the body of Christ.  Guided by these teachers, children are encouraged to develop disciplined learning habits, positive social skills, and Christ-like attitudes and values. 

Our Mission

  • To provide an excellent academic education throughout which He (Jesus) is always preeminent (Colossians 1:18).
  • To provide an educational experience in which the spirit of each child is challenged by the truth of God’s Word.

  • To provide an environment where love comes from the Spirit and springs from the Hope we have in the shed blood of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God. 

  • To prepare young people to live in this world without being part of this world (1 Thessalonians 5:20-22, 1 Peter 5:8).

  • To challenge each child to hide (memorize) God’s Word in their heart (James 1:25, Psalm 119:11).

About the Position:

The Head of School is the chief executive officer of the school and is charged with the responsibility for the operation of the school by the Valley Christian School Board. The administration and supervision of the educational activities of the school are delegated by the Board to be carried out according to the adopted policies and procedures. Head of School will be given complete authority of all school operations including the area of Human Resources: hiring, firing, and training the faculty and staff. Head of School will be the board’s only employee and serve with the understanding that he is accountable to the board for all actions in regards to the operation of Valley Christian School.

Salary Range: $80,000-90,000 annually

Location: Missoula, MT

Job Duties

Total Program — He/She shall provide supervision for the total operation of the school.

  • Prepare master school calendar with input from the various principals
  • Write and/or revise Teacher Contracts, Teacher Handbooks, Student/Parent Handbooks, Athletic Handbook, and Board Policy Manual 
  • Responsible for compliance with all regulatory agencies
  • Plan with assistance of other administrators the joint all-school functions 
  • Seek to maintain the unity of the Spirit while promoting the spiritual growth of the students and staff (Col. 1:27, 28; 3:16, 17)

Spiritual Leadership — He/She is responsible to help develop the spiritual leadership of all those associated with the school (I Tim. 2:2).

  • Provide spiritual leadership to teachers, parents, students by example and instruction
  • Encourage harmony among the staff
  • Be personally involved in a church
  • Promote the development of a servant’s heart among the staff to facilitate ministry to students, staff, and parents

Supervision of Personnel — He/She is responsible for a program of supervision and evaluation of all employees in the performance of their duties. He/She is also responsible for recommending the dismissal of staff members to the board.

  • Encourages educational growth through teacher certification with ACSI and the pursuing of graduate courses in their appropriate fields
  • Provides job descriptions for each position on the staff
  • Develops a style of management which allows for effective supervision of programs and personnel
  • Encourages continual spiritual growth of each staff member by example and by counsel

Procurement of Personnel — He/She is responsible to recommend candidates to be hired.

  • Recommends the creation or elimination of staff positions to board
  • Notification of staff openings to the appropriate agencies (i.e. college placement services, local churches, Christian employment agencies, etc.)
  • Hire and/or terminate all non-administrative, noncertificated staff, and temporary substitutes for certificated personnel
  • May suspend any classified personnel for just cause, including violation of employment agreement, insubordination, incompetence, and/or continued failure to comply with Board policy or administrative rules and regulations
  • May authorize, supervise, and terminate volunteer positions of service in curricular and/or non-curricular areas
  •  Communicates the philosophy and practice of Christian Education among new and existing employees

Curriculum –He/She has the major responsibility for the development and coordination of the curriculum.

  • Develops and implements the school curriculum with the assistance of the building principals 
  • Approves all textbooks and supplementary materials
  • Recommends to the board when major curriculum changes are appropriate
  • Scope and sequence of each subject area will be developed and revised as necessary

School Board — He/She is responsible to interpret the school operation to the VCS Board and board action to school personnel.

  • Shall submit a written or oral report at every regularly scheduled board meeting on the status of the school, its achievements and problems
  • Attends all board meetings unless excused by the Board President
  • Facilitate decision-making by providing information about the school and its function
  • Keep board abreast of finances, enrollment, personnel, curriculum and accreditation
  • Recommend policies for further development of the school
  • Administer the policies established by the VCS School Board

Budget — He/She shall prepare an annual budget for consideration by the board.

  • Works with teachers, department heads, and administrators in developing the budget
  • Supervise the daily operation of the school and disbursement of the approved annual budget 
  • Supervises the Business Office to see that the accounting system is organized in satisfactory manner

Long-Range Planning & Development — He/She shall submit plans annually for developmental programs in curriculum, staff, buildings, and equipment as part of a longrange plan for the total school. 

  • Estimate costs of such programs and suggests means of financing
  • Develop five-year plan of development in conjunction with the Board
  • Involve parents, educational consultants and community people in the planning process
  • Keep abreast of current research being done in the field of education
  • Be cognizant of legal requirements upon private schools by local, county, state and federal agencies

Student Admission — He/She shall supervise the overall admissions process.

  • Have the final voice for acceptance or rejection of any student

Commencement — He/She shall work with the high school principal and senior class advisors in planning the commencement program.

  • Approve the baccalaureate and commencement speaker
  • Award diplomas to graduates
  • Give any assistance needed in planning and supervising the commencement exercises

Physical Plant — He/She is responsible for the creation of an environment that is conducive to good education.

  • Recommends to the Board with respect to major repairs or new facilities needed
  • Provides a safe environment for students and staff

Discipline — He/She is responsible to ensure an orderly atmosphere and respect for authority.

Public Relations — He/She will work closely with the board, to develop an effective program of interpreting the school to the public. The responsibilities will fall into three areas: image- raising, fund-raising and friend-raising.

  1. Image Raising:
    1. Quarterly Newsletter — Oversee the development of each quarterly publication
    2. Community Involvement — Is involved in church and community events
    3. Any other ways to promote the school and raise the communities level of awareness.
  2. Fund Raising:
    1. Takes an active role in the support and encouragement of these programs through effective public relations
    2. Effective follow-up, i.e. writing letters of acknowledgment for all gifts to the school 
    3. Develop and maintain monthly contacts with donors and prospects
    4. Coordinate special appeals for specific projects of the school
    5. Direct contact of major donors
  3. Friend Raising:
    1. Involve area pastors in the school chapel program
    2. Seek to keep open lines of communication with the area churches
    3. Availability of school musical groups for church concerts and community ministry, i.e. Rotary Club, nursing homes, etc.
    4. Interprets to the citizens of the community the purposes, accomplishments, needs, and goals of the school
    5. Represents the school to the community at large

Staff Development — He/She shall plan, coordinate and encourage opportunities for the development of the Valley Christian Schools staff.

  • Involve staff and faculty in formulating recommendations, policies and budget
  • Facilitates opportunities for the professional improvement of the faculty and staff

Miscellaneous — He/She assumes any other responsibilities assigned by the Valley Christian School Board and/or necessary to the efficient operation of the school.

Minimum Qualifications

  • 5+ years of educational and administrative experience
  • A bachelor’s degree, master’s preferred
  • ACSI Administrative certification or the ability to obtain required, Montana OPI Administrative certification preferred
  • Competent in the supervision of the learning-teaching process
  • A spiritually mature and growing Christian who is active in his/her Christian life
  • Possess an understanding and commitment to the philosophy of Christian Education, compatible with that of Valley
  •  A “Born Again” Christian who has received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (John 3:3, I Peter 1:23)
  • Have an ability to oversee financial matters in a wise and prudent manner

Think you are a great fit for this role? Apply now!